The Golden Compass

There are a lot of multi fantasy movies out more then ever before. Possible because the movie industry has more advanced tools, like CGI to create some cool stuff. The Golden Compass didn’t hold anything back with the CGI anime, and it did keep my interest for the most part.

This movie is filled with an all-star cast, with Daniel Craig playing Lord Asriel, who rebels against the authoritative system, looking for “Dust” that is found the North end of there world that could show how to travel between parallel worlds. Nicole Kinman plays Mrs. Coulter a very dark, yet mysterious woman, who is apart of a deep organization that kidnaps children to perform experiments, which I don’t want to give a way….Dakota Blue Richards stars as young heroine Lyra, who tries to figure out why they are taking all the children, to find out what is Dust, and lead the rebellion, for freedom.

What I enjoyed was that in this world, there souls were separated in animals that go with there person where ever they go. The animals can talk with them, and they are part of them. If something hurts the animal, it hurts the person as well. I also like the concept of parallel universes being played, which shows hopefully in the next segments we can explore more of the universe. What I had a hard time, was some of the material was confusing or to complex. I felt like they tried to do too much in less than two hours. The bears were fun to watch. Especially the main bear, Iorek Byrnison (voice by Ian McKellen) who is an exiled drunken bear that lost his place on there throne, but gains his nobility with a great bear fight against the corrupted king that was in his place (which is another tangent in the movie).

I hope that when all the segments are released, that the movie will be more fulfilled with a better understanding the whole concept that they are trying to relay. I will admit I felt that it was mediocre. It doesn’t give me the drive to see it again. Like Lord of the Rings, or the recent Harry Potter films, I didn’t get that same “interest to see more” vibe. Who knows, I can’t judge the whole outcome since we haven’t seen all of the segments as one picture. A good example is Kill Bill. Though I loved the first one as is, there were many critics who didn’t like the first one till they say the 2nd part, then it became a masterpiece as a whole. So I am going to raise the bar of expectation, but who knows!

A warning, those who participated sending out that obnoxious email stating that this movie is promoting Atheism, and told many to band the film (which in most cases helps the movie, CD, or book have more success). Please beware of what you say, because the movie was no different than any other film that tries to freedom to choose and belief over being obligated and suppressed under dictator rule. If you believe that this movie teaches you that its wrong, than don’t see “V” for Vendetta, Pans Labyrinth, Braveheart, to even Mr. Smith goes to Washington. Even though this movie may not be as good quality as those mention, the message has the same point. I am not telling you to bend your beliefs, but don’t alter the mind of others of a movie you haven’t watched. It’s like the famous saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”